Tigers close to new commitment after visit this weekend

CLEMSON – The Clemson football coaching staff didn’t receive any commitments during Saturday’s Junior Day on the campus, but one Upstate offensive lineman may be closer than ever to signing with the Tigers.

The staff hosted between 40 and 50 juniors on Saturday, and Mauldin High School’s Ryan Norton, the top-rated center prospect in the state, said he got the entire tour and has the Tigers No. 1 on his list.

“I thought it was real nice,” Norton said of Junior Day. “This was the first time I have gotten to see Vickery Hall, and the dorms and everything like that. I thought that was pretty special. Then I got to sit down with Coach Swinney, Coach Scott and Coach Pearman, and just talk to them. That is what stood out to me the most.”

Norton said he enjoyed his conversation with the coaches, and was struck by how much Clemson feels like home.

“Coach Swinney is a great guy and very family oriented,” Norton said. “His kids were running around everywhere and it doesn’t even seem like you are talking to a coach. I told a lot of people that. He is very approachable. Coach Scott, I have a good relationship with him right now, and he is real down to earth, but also seems like he would get after you on the field.”

Norton said that while he didn’t make a commitment on Saturday, he hopes to have his final decision made by the summer.

“I just really want to make It, and then have that off my mind during my senior season,” the 6-foot-4, 275 pounder said. “I just want to focus on my team, and helping them out as much as possible.”

Norton has also received offers from Georgia Tech and Illinois, so who is the lead right now?

“It is definitely Clemson right now,” Norton said. “Then Georgia Tech and then Illinois. I like all of the campuses, and I am wide open to anything right now.”